English proficiency for freshman international students

International students are required to submit an official TOEFL or IELTS score that meets the UW’s minimum English proficiency requirement. Strong applicants will demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency and will have attained the recommended score (see the table below) to be exempt from the UW’s Academic English Program (AEP). English proficiency will be considered in the holistic review process. The exam must be taken on or before December 31 of the year of application, and scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the UW. Plan ahead—test dates and locations are limited and fill quickly.

Exception: International students whose primary and secondary education took place in Australia, Canada (English-speaking provinces), the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand or the U.S. are exempt from this requirement. Students born in one of these countries and educated elsewhere are still required to satisfy the English proficiency requirement.

Test score requirement

TOEFL (iBT)

IELTS

Minimum score required

76

6.0

Recommended score

92 or higher

7.0 or higher

Using SAT or ACT scores as an English proficiency alternative

The UW will consider the English proficiency requirement met for students who satisfy both of the following statements:

A minimum average grade of B in all high-school-level English writing or literature courses where English is the primary language of instruction for all grade 10-12 classes taught at the school and

A minimum SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 580 or ACT English score of 22. Official scores must be sent to the UW directly from ACT or the College Board to satisfy this requirement.

How to request scores

The UW must receive your TOEFL and/or IELTS scores directly from the testing agency. You may make the request to have your scores sent to the UW at the time you register for the test. After you have taken the exam, you may still request official scores by contacting the testing agency directly.

When to submit scores

Applicants for summer or autumn 2019 are required to have official test scores sent directly to the UW from the testing agency no later than December 31, 2018.

Additional information

Previous ESL coursework or English composition courses, even when taken in the U.S. or an English speaking country, do not satisfy the English proficiency requirement.

Applicants who have not met the minimum English proficiency requirement by the application deadline or who have not taken one of the English proficiency exams by the exam deadline will not be considered for admission.

The UW does not offer conditional admission to students who have not yet met the minimum English proficiency requirement.

Use your legal name. If there are any differences in the name on your exam report and your UW application, please notify the Office of Admissions by email at intladm@uw.edu. Include a scanned copy of your exam report.

Official TOEFL and IELTS exam scores are valid for two years from the date of the original exam. If your scores are more than two years old, you will need to take a new exam to be considered for admission.